Steam tie shaper



Aug. 3, 1948. UEL 2,446,412

STEAM TIE SHAPER Filed Feb. 23, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENIDR JQBEPBEmmnum.

1948- J. EMMANUEL 46,412

STEAM TIE SHAPER Filed F eb. 23, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Jessa-1EMMANUEL Patented Aug. 3, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STEAM TIESHAPER I Joseph Emmanuel, New York, N. Y.

Application February 23, 1946, Serial No. 649,642

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a steam tie shaper fir shaping andreconditioning neckties and the li e.

It is an object of this invention to provide a device for shaping andreconditioning clothing and the like.

It is another object of this invention to provide a device for steamingand shaping neckties.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a stretcher forsteaming and shaping neckties.

Additional objects of this invention as well as its construction, use,and operation will in part be obvious and will in part become apparentfrom the following disclosure.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects andadvantages thereof, reference will be had to the following descriptionand accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which thevariousnovel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a device according to one form of thisinvention.

Fig. 2 is a cross section of the article shown in Fig, 1, taken alongthe line 2-2.

Fig. 3'is a fragmentary side cross section of the article of Fig. 1,taken along the line 33.

I Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a heater member according to one formof the invention.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a device comprising a frame memberaccording to one form of the invention, and having a necktie positionedthereon.

Referring to the figures in detail, in Fig. 1 there is shown a necktiesteamer and shaper Ill comprising generally a, frame member I l and aheater member [2 mounted thereon.

The frame member is of the general size and outline shape of a portionof an article of clothing such as, for example, the larger end of afour-in-hand necktie, having a combintion'eye and spring member I3 atthe larger end thereof, and the heater member I2 is of a size and shapeto fit within the frame member I I. I

The frame member II is a generally U-shaped wire member constructed of arelatively sturdy, flexible material such as, for example, a flexiblemetal or the like, having diverging sides It and I5 extending from theclosed end 16, having finger grip members I! near the ends [8 thereof,and having integral end members I!) and 20 curved inwardly from the endsI8, said end members l9 and 20 crossing and being joined togetherthrough the combination eye and spring member 13. The entire framemember, including members l3 to 20 is optionally formed of one piece ofwire or the like, and accordingly there is generally no sharp line ofdemarcation between the various portions thereof; on the contrary therewill generally be a smooth intermelding therebetween.

Finger grip members I! comprise generally slight inward curves orindentations in the side members M and I5, providing recessed portionsinto which fingers fit to provide a more secure gripping position on theframe. Spring member l3 comprises at least one loop of wire joining endmembers It! and 20 together, whereby the position of the end memberswith respect to each other is springably movable.

Positioned within the frame member II is a tongue-shaped heater memberl2, having an electric lead and plug l2a and extending slightly short ofthe length-of the frame and extending nearly across the width of theframe. A pair of heat-insulating holder members or clamps 2| at each endof theiheater interconnect it with the frame andfix its positiontherewithin.

The heater member [2 is shown in greater detail in Fig. 4, together withthe sectional views in Figs. 2 and 3. The heater comprises a longtapered metallic strip 22 which is looped back on itself at its widerend, containing a heating unit 23 such as, for example, a conventionallyinsulated heating coil or the like. The heating unit is, accordingly,located only at the one end of the heating member.

The heating member is preferably constructed of agood thermal conductor,such as, for example, copper, silver, or the like; in this way an evendistribution of heat along the entire length of the heating member canbe readily obtained. However, it will be understood that other metals,such as, for example, iron, steel, aluminum and the like may be used.

Theentire surface of the heating member has a covering steaming layersuch as, for example, a cloth or other fiber layer 24. This coveringmaterial is placed around the plate 22 and secured there by means ofstitching, adhesive, or the like. The covering 24 serves the purposes ofprotecting the heating strip 22, preventing excess heat in the strip 22from being transferred to a necktie and burning it, and indicatingexcess heat of the heater by scorching-the cloth layer 24 rather thanscorching a neck tie.

Figs. 2 and 3 show the assembly of the heater member [2 on the frame II.It is noted that clamps 2| removably secure the heater membermanufactured and sold frame member complete In either case its operationwill be' ,-the:

in itself.

same.

The use and operation of the device will be sub stantially apparent fromthe figures-andthe foregoing description.

during at least the final stage of the insertion pro'cess; the frame issqueezed by pressure at the finger grip portions l]. When the frame isfully inserted, the frame is allowed to expand naturally, whereby thenecktie'is-placed under tension.

Thistension removes the wrinkles and retains a the tie in a smoothcondition. l

When frame Ha of Fig. 5 is used, stubborn wrinkles may lie-removed byholding the stretched necktie in a moist warm atmosphere suchas, for

example, in the escaping steam from a hot teakettle; The device shown inFigs. 1 to l has special Provision forremoval of stubborn wrinkles.Mildly stubborn wrinkles are removed by energizing heater element 2.3and thereby heating the strip: 22, whereby the Wrinkles are removed byheat. In extreme cases, the cloth covering 24 on theheater strip ismoistened; and the heater is'connec'ted to treat the necktie to a-moist,hot

atmosphere.

Inconnection with this last process-,-it is noted that the heaterelement 23 is located only at one end of the heater strip 22, so thatthe heater member I2 may be substantially'completely immerse'd inwaterwithout damage thereto. Accordingly, an unobvious inter-relation ofparts is obtained.

' In any of the cases, after the wrinkles are superficially removed thenecktie is permitted to remain on the frame for at least a short periodof'time to permit the cloth to dry thoroughlyand to cause the smoothnessof the cloth to set firmly. The' d'evice according to this invention isadapted to be used conveniently and quickly; for example; in'the home.By the use of this device a= necktie is quickly reconditioned andsubs'tantially all wrinkles are rapidlyremoved; In addition; the deviceretains the necktie in a stretched condition 'rendering' itxmore" easilycleaned by the application of a cleaning agent.

While I-have illustrated and described the pre-- ferred embodiments ofmy invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to' theprecise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to allchanges and modifications coming within'the scope of the invention'asdefined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim" as new, and desire tosecure by United States Letters Patent, is:

1. A combination necktie stretcher and heater therefor comprising aflexible elongated ta- The device is inserted" within the appropriateportion of a necktie, and l pered frame adapted to fit with-in the endof a necktie, end members extending from the wider end of the frame andjoined together through a spring loop whereby the end of the frame isurged to expand against a necktie positioned therearound, and fingergrip members located on the frame member adjacent to the wider endthereof, and a heater member mounted within said frame and adapted toheat the necktie in the stretched condition, said heater com-prising athermally conducting metallic stripshaped tent within the frame andhaving a small heater element at one end thereof.

ZJA COmbiIIB/tlOII necktie stretcher and heater therefor comprising aflexible elongated tapered fraiiie'a'daptedto fit within the end of anecktie, endmembers-extend-ing from the wider end of the frame andjoined together through a spring leop' -wliereby the end of the frame isurged to expand against a necktie positioned therearound, andfinger gripmembers located on the frame member adjacent to the wider end thereof,and a heater member mounted within said frame and adapted to heat thenecktie in the stretchedrcond-ition, said heater comprising a thermallyconducting metallic strip shaped to fit within the frame and securedWithin the frame by thermally insulating clamps, the end of thestrip adjacent to the wider end of the-frame being looped back on itself tocontain a small heater element.

3. A combination necktie stretcher and heater therefor comprising a;flexible elongated tapered frame adapted to fit within the end of anecktie, end members extending from the wider end of the frame andjoined together through a spring loop whereby the end of the frame isurged'to expand against a necktie positioned therearound, and fingergrip members located on the'frame member adjacent to-the wider endthereof, and a heater membermounted within said frame and adapted toheat the necktie in the stretched condition, said heater comprising athermally conducting metallic strip shaped to fit within the frame andsecured within the frame by thermally insulating clamps,- the end of thestrip adjacent to the wider end ofzthe frame-being looped back on itselfto contain a small heater element, and a steaming covering substantiallysurrounding said strip and adaptedto absorb and retain moisture in aposition to be vaporized'by the heat irom'said strip.

JOSEPH ENMANUEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the fileofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 442,926 'Traut Dec. 16, 1890445,099- Traut Jan. 20, 1891" 582,418 Greely May 11, 1897 763,608 HolmerJune 28'; 1904 1,070,238 Doose Aug. 12, 1913 1,789,424 Betke Jan. 20,1931 1,817,731 Benford Aug. 4, 1931' 1,946,844 Erns'ter Feb-.- 13, 19341,986,386 Behringer Jan. 1, 1935* 2,160,769 -Weisberger May 30,- 19392,378,565 Lockeet a1 June19, 1945 2,338,776 Miller Jan. 11, 1944

